ONYX Reads: Books for your musical soul

Rhythm and Blues Books for the Musical Soul

By Alicia Keys The profound words of her songs have always drawn me to her music, the poetry of those words never escaped me. “Tears for Water” by Alicia Keys is a book of poetry with a revealing look inside the writing experience as the artist shares her deepest thoughts during the creative process.

Tears for Water

More Than Pretty

By Erica Campbell I wanted to know more about Lacrae because I had been introduced to contemporary Christian music through the duo known as MaryMary. Erica Campbell, of MaryMary, has a book about her journey to develop self-esteem as a Christian in a fast moving, everchanging mostly non-Christian mainstream music world. Campbell’s book titled, “More Than Pretty” not only addresses the issues in the industry, but also shines a light on the individual who will need more than good looks to make it. She says, “the enemy will always give you a reason not to feel good enough, always put something and someone in front of you to compare yourself to.” Her book offers sound advice for anyone looking to be better from within.

By Patricia Brown Denis

Let Love Have the Last Word

By Common Common, the most uncommon rapper, actor and activist has penned an introspective and thought provoking memoir. He painstakingly puts words to the experience of love. The book’s title, “Let Love Have the Last Word,” is overflowing with examples of how love, in his opinion has to guide. He says, “Perhaps this is all we can ask of love—to restore to us our dignity when life unravels....”

Unashamed

By Lacrae Moore Lacrae Moore is known for his Grammy Award-winning best gospel album and best contemporary Christian music, but he is a hip hop artist as well. His book, “Unashamed,” is his story inside music from a self-proclaimed and industry dictated outsider. He says, “being an outspoken Christian in the music industry means always feeling out of place. It’s like whatever you have accomplished is less credible because of your faith.” He has the desire to reach a broader audience, “to address themes that people who aren’t Christian can appreciate.”

Unruly: The Highs and Lows of Becoming A Man

By Ja Rule Soul searching is also found in the story of Jeffrey Atkins, better known as Ja Rule. His life story titled “Unruly: The Highs and Lows of Becoming a Man” describes in graphic detail how he came to the graphic lyrics of his music. He says, “No one wanted to admit that the hard edge of rap and the melodies of R&B were a winning combination.” The facts that his rap lyrics happened to be shaped by his life as a street, drug hustler, to him did not matter. Find out how Ja Rule wrestles with coming of age in the era of Gangsta Rap and thug life.

Featured Author Sheila D. Green Treating Your Marriage Like a Business

In her debut book, Life Coach Sheila D. Green pens your blueprint to using well-known business practices and principles and applying them to your marriage. One of the reasons why marriages are not successful is that we don’t give them the same time and effort we give our businesses. We know what makes our business work and we take the steps for success. However, too often we fail to treat marriages in a way that will ensure a happy ending. In business, we put in the necessary time and energy. In many marriages, we don’t invest the time. In business, we implement strategies to ensure financial success. In marriage, we don’t pay close attention to money. In business, we make sure we have a business plan. We tend not to have a business plan for our marriages. When we start thinking about marriage as a business, only then can we expect the rewards. Green has been trained in psychology, counseling and social work and has worked in those areas for more than 20 years. She and her husband, B. Lee Green, Ph.D., share 33 years of marriage and two adult children, Kamaria and Lee.